Partick Thistle are the visitors to the Parkgrove Stadium @ Station Park on Tuesday evening , the first home competitive game of the season for the ‘Loons.’
The fixture is the second match in Group ‘E’ of the Premier Sports Cup, Thistle having won their opener at home to Brechin City on Saturday past to the tune of 6-0, while the Athies came up second best against Championship newcomers Stenhousemuir at Ochilview.
Forfar manager Jim Weir has made no secret of the fact that he is still in throws of what so far is proving a difficult process of re-building his squad for the long season ahead and like the hardy few ‘Loons’ supporters who made the trip to the central belt at the weekend, he was disappointed by his side’s second half performance in particular which was as dreary as the Stirlingshire weather.
The Station Park management team are looking for an improvement over the next few weeks in all areas, while continuing a non-stop search for new faces.
Like many a club in the lower echelons of the SPFL, finances are tight and this does not make recruitment an enviable task in the current football environment north of the border.
Having three tier two sides in our League Cup group has also meant a tough start to the campaign for Jim and his depleted squad and Partick are likely to prove to be stronger opponents than the ‘Warriors’ were.
Jim looks likely to have basically the same squad available to him for the visit of the ‘Jags’ as was the case at the weekend, one major plus at Ochilview, the second half appearance of newcomer Aaron Arnott having shaken off his pre-season injury woes.
Neil Stafford was handed the green jersey on Saturday and duly pulled off a couple of excellent saves during the course of a relatively busy ninety minutes.
Thistle under the guidance of Mark Wilson lost out in the Pemiership play-off final narrowly to St. Mirren in late May and are obviously one of the favorites for the title this time round.
The experienced Gary McKay-Steven netted a brace against City with newcomers Seb Drodz and Euan Henderson also on the score sheet against our near neighbours.
The match on Tuesday will have the usual 7.45p.m. kick-off and hopefully the ‘Loons’ faithful will forego the World Cup semi final on the box to lend their backing to the management and players on the night.
The referee is Sean Murdoch a ‘weel kent’ face of the past to Athies supporters, a reminder that if the scores in a Premier Sports Cup sectional tie are level at the end of ninety minutes, a penalty shoot-out takes place for a bonus point.
Admission prices for both stand and terracing are as follows;-
Adults £15
Concessions (65 & over and 16/18 year olds) £10
Under 16’s who must be accompanied by a paying adult £5
Forfar Athletic Season Tickets are NOT VALID for this fixture.
Tickets can be purchased on line in advance at – https://forfarathletic.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/forfar_athletic_v_partick_thistle_0726
CASH ONLY turnstiles will also be in operation on the night.
Stand Patrons will enter by the turnstile at the east end of the main stand.
All supporters heading for the terracing will enter through the main turnstile block in Carseview Road.
The Club Shop and the Refreshment Kiosk within the ground will be open as usual.
The 1984 Lounge situated at the rear of the main stand will be open from 6.15p.m. till kick-off. It will not re-open on this occasion after the final whistle.
All supporters welcome.
Tuesday night’s other fixture in Group ‘E’ is up the road at Glebe Park, Livingston City’s opponents on this occasion.
Forfar Athletic’s remaining two fixtures in the group stages are at Livingston on Tuesday the 21st of the month, before the local derby at home to Brechin City on Saturday 25th.
